Q: It’s been a blazing summer where I live. I’m really tired of hot fluids in my bottles. I fill them with ice, but the liquid is lukewarm in 45 minutes. I’d rather not use a backpack-style hydration system. Any suggestions? — Patty J.
COACH FRED: Try insulated bottles. Mailorder catalogs have them, and they’re probably in stock at your local bike shop, too. The outside diameter is slightly fatter than normal bottles, but they still fit cages fine. They also don’t hold quite as much fluid (around 20 ounces), but what’s in there will stay cold about twice as long.
Another tip, if using non-insulated bottles: Fill them about 80% full with water or sports drink and put them in the freezer overnight. (You have to allow for expansion when liquid turns to ice.) The solid block won’t melt as quickly as ice cubes.
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